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6 loans like Cash Central

Consider cash advance apps for a less-costly alternative to payday loans.

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By

Kat Aoki

Edited by

Holly Jennings

Reviewed by

Anna Serio

Updated

Cash Central offers no-credit-check payday and installment loans with amounts and repayment terms that vary widely by state — but generally top out at $5,000. It’s upfront about its rates and terms, and if you apply at a store, you could receive your loan as soon as the same day.

But it charges high fees, even on small loans, which means your APR could exceed 700% in some cases. If you only need to borrow between paydays, a cash advance app is a cheaper option. Cash advance apps never charge interest or fees on what you borrow and some even offer free payment extensions – instead of installment loans’ expensive renewals. This can help you avoid a cycle of debt.

These Cash Central alternatives offer cheaper access to cash for emergencies. Like Cash Central, they don’t require a credit check and can even offer same-day funding for a small fee — usually between $1 and $10.

6 alternatives to Cash Central

Alternative for overdraft feature: Chime SpotMe

Chime SpotMe®

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If you have a Chime checking account and active debit card, Chime's SpotMe feature can be a cheaper way to access between $20 and $200 compared to getting a payday loan from Cash Central. SpotMe covers purchases or ATM withdrawals, which means you can withdraw cash from an ATM up to your SpotMe limit when your bank balance is low.

To be eligible for SpotMe, you need to have at least $200 in eligible direct deposits in your account each month. To activate the feature, go into your Chime app settings and switch on the Overdraft fee-free option. Your SpotMe limit is listed under this option, so you can see exactly how much you qualify for.

  • Available in all states
Partner terms and conditions
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. Direct deposit: Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. SpotMe: Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each at least once every 34 days. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime’s discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won’t cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Conditions.
Pros
  • Can be used for ATM withdrawals
  • Potentially qualify for up to $200 in overdrafts
  • Easy to switch on overdraft feature
Cons
  • SpotMe limits start at $20
  • SpotMe doesn't cover bill pay or P2P transfers
  • Must be used with Chime checking account
Loan amountUp to $200
Loan TermN/A
Turnaround timeSame day

Alternative if you’re a freelancer: Cleo

Cleo

If you're a freelancer or gig worker with varying paychecks, Cleo is a budgeting and cash advance app can help tide you over. Cleo counts income from different sources and doesn't have a minimum income requirement. As long as you have consistent income coming in from your gigs, you could qualify for cash advances.

Cleo cash advance amounts start at $20 to $70, but that could increase to $250 with an established income history. Cleo also has tools to help you budget and track your spending and bills better. Cash advances are available on the Cleo app through the paid plan, which costs $5.99 a month. If you need a same-day transfer, it's an additional $3.99.

  • Available in all states
Pros
  • No payslips or W-2 forms required
  • No credit checks or interest charged
  • Free AI financial planner, bill tracker and low balance alerts
Cons
  • Monthly fee to access cash advances
  • Borrowing amounts are limited initially
  • Mixed customer reviews
Loan amount$20 to $250
Loan TermVaries
Turnaround time3 to 4 days standard transfer. Same day with $3.99 express fee.

Alternative for investment advice: Albert

Albert

Albert is a banking app that offers pay advances up to $250 to users without a paid subscription. You can get funds the same day for a $6 fee — otherwise, it takes two or three days to receive your funds. You can also sign up for its paid Genius subscription if you want financial advice and help building an investment portfolio based on your goals. The AI-driven, human-supported Genius feature can also field questions about credit cards, budgeting and more.

However, Albert automatically enrolls all new users into a 30-day free trial of Genius, which costs $8 to $16 a month. Some users report having difficulty canceling their subscription, making it best for people who want its built-in financial advice service.

  • Available in all states
Pros
  • Help building an investment portfolio
  • Paid membership not required for advances
  • No late fees or inactivity fees
Cons
  • Must sign up for a free trial of Genius
  • Instant transfer fees not listed
  • No phone support
Loan amount$250
Loan TermVaries
Turnaround time2 to 3 business days, or instant for a fee

Alternative for repayment flexibility: Brigit

Brigit

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Brigit is a no-credit-check cash advance app that offers up to $250 per pay period. To use the service, you must sign up for the paid subscription, which costs $9.99 a month. Included in this fee are Brigit's credit builder program, overdraft protection and $1 million in identity theft protection.

Brigit also offers payment flexibility in case you can't make your repayment on time. To request an extension, you just need to have two previous consecutive on-time payments — and you can store up to three extensions at a time. However, you can't get any new advances until the last one is paid off.

  • Available in all states
Pros
  • Get up to three payment extensions
  • Helps prevent bank overdraft fees
  • Credit builder program part of subscription
Cons
  • $9.99 monthly membership fee
  • Instant transfers fees not listed
  • No phone support
Loan amount$250
Loan TermVaries
Turnaround time1 to 3 business days, or instant with a fee or Premium subscription

Alternative for no-fee cash advances: MoneyLion

MoneyLion Instacash advances

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MoneyLion is a free banking app that offers fee-free cash advances up to $500 between paychecks or other regular deposits. Unlike Brigit and other apps, MoneyLion doesn't require a monthly subscription to get advances — but same-day instant transfers set you back between $1.99 and $8.999.

MoneyLion also offers a banking account, investment account and crypto trading feature. And if you open a MoneyLion account and set up direct deposit, you can potentially increase the amount of your advances to $1,000 per pay period. While many users like the app, there has been a high volume of issues like billing errors and difficulty communicating with customer service.

  • Available in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Pros
  • Potential for $1,000 cash advances
  • No monthly subscription fees to get cash advances
  • Round Up investing feature
Cons
  • Regular funding takes 24 to 48 hours
  • Instant transfers fee
  • Pattern of customer complaints
Loan amountUp to $500 or $1,000 with RoarMoney account
Loan TermNot applicable, Automatic repayment
Turnaround timeUp to 5 days or instant for a fee

Alternative for building your credit: Possible Finance

Possible Finance Mobile Installment Loans

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Possible Finance is an online lender that offers short-term installment loans up to $500. Like Cash Central, it's aimed at bad credit borrowers and doesn't require a credit check — just some type of income. But its rates can reach up to 460% APR, making it more expensive than a cash advance app.

But instead of having to pay your loan back on your next deposit, Possible Finance may give you up to eight weeks to repay your loan. Possible Finance also reports your payments to two of the three major credit bureaus. Due to the high APRs, Possible Finance is best for emergency borrowing only.

  • Available in: Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington
Pros
  • No credit check required
  • Longer loan repayment terms
  • May help boost your credit
Cons
  • APRs can top 460%
  • A pattern of negative customer reviews
  • More expensive than using a cash advance app
Loan amountUp to $500
Interest rate typeFixed
Loan Term2 to 8 weeks
Turnaround timeAs fast as 1 business day

How does Cash Central compare?

Cash Central may work if you need quick funding without a credit check. Cash Central offers payday loans as low as $100 and in some cases, up to $5,000. It’s licensed in the 22 states it serves and offers retail locations as well as online loans — and funding can be as quick as same-day.

But rates run high — exceeding 700% APR in some states and repayment terms vary widely. You’ll need to visit its website to check the specifics on loans in your state. For example, you may be required to pay back your loan in seven to 30 days in some states, while others may offer terms up to two years.

A cash advance app is generally a much cheaper option if you have bad credit and just need to borrow small amounts between paydays or direct deposits. Cash advance apps don’t require credit checks and never charge interest on what you borrow — which could help keep you out of a cycle of debt.

Pros

  • Many years in the industry
  • Prepaid debit cards available
  • Upfront about interest rates
  • Member of the CFSA

Cons

  • High volume of BBB complaints
  • Typical APR of 200% or more
  • Loans available in only 22 states
  • Payday loans not available in DE, NM or SC